Why Robbie Keane was right: Tottenham have every chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season

By Darren Lewis

Published 13:53 03/11/09

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I guested on a radio show on Monday night and was fascinated at the negativity towards Robbie Keane from Spurs fans.

Their beef was that in daring to suggest the club could go toe to toe with Arsenal before last Saturday's north London derby, Keane had done Arsene Wenger's team talk for him.

In other words, it was tantamount to waving a red rag in front of a bull. Just as I disagreed then, I disagree now. So many teams are beaten before a ball is kicked at the Emirates because Arsenal's attacking options make them so formidable in front of their own fans.

Nasri, Walcott and Rosicky didn't even play and yet they should have had four or five. But I think that could well have been the case whether Keane had spoken or not.

Spurs remain a good side with an excellent first eleven. They were hugely unlucky not to have three players - Defoe, Lennon and Modric - who would definitely have been in that eleven and it will be interesting to see the return when those players are back.

But Arsenal are not a good yardstick to measure Tottenham's progress. Wenger's commitment to youth means he has so much talent in abundance with accomplished players who can't even get anywhere near the starting XI.

I still think Spurs will finish in the top four. Yes, they have lost to Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal this season but bear in mind United themselves beat just one team in the top four last season and still went on to win the title.

Just as Harry Redknapp dared to admit the club are targeting the top four a couple of weeks ago, I think Keane was right to set the club's stall out in terms of their intentions going into Saturday's match.

The defeat means nothing. Consistency is more important and if Spurs can get back to winning ways and put a sequence together then there is every chance that they could yet live the Champions League dream.